Nuneaton’s voice in Parliament has thrown his support behind the Attleborough residents’ group campaigning against the demolition of the former Park Avenue School in Attleborough.

Marcus, who lived by the old school for seven years in the adjoining Trinity Walk, met with chair of the local residents’ group, Julie-Ann Simms, to discuss the concerns of local people who are unhappy with the prospect of the demolition of a historic local building.

Marcus holds concern that local residents were not informed about the County Council’s plans to dispose of the site, to make way for supported housing, and the potential for the old school to make way for new accommodation.

He believes that local residents are right to be angry that they have not had more information, but with an agreement between the Council and a developer of supported housing already in place, subject to planning consent, Marcus fears that the only way for residents to get their views heard is through the planning system.

The old school building is locally listed and Marcus has now thrown his weight behind the principle of protecting the original building dating back to the early 20th Century.

Marcus believes that the best way forward could be for a compromise so that the original school building be retained as part of any new housing scheme.

The leading local MP said: “I know this part of Attleborough well having lived there and it would be very sad indeed to see this lovely Edwardian building, that is in excellent repair, demolished to make way for a more modern building.

“I have listened to the concerns of residents who value the character of this part of Park Avenue which very much retains the character from the period over which it was built. It would be a great shame to see that heritage disposed of and will support the concerns of local people who are justifiably unhappy.”